A reputable installation company must have a robust safety plan and set of procedures in place. But if you are a DIYer, following some basic safety procedures will help keep you safe during your installation:
- Never work alone.
- Always tie off ladders. Never place them in front of doors or walkways, and never place the feet in soft soil.
- Going up a ladder carrying something in one hand is extremely dangerous. Consider alternative methods, such as a mechanical lift, to get rails, modules, hardware, and tools on the roof.
- Keep off roofs in wet or icy conditions.
- Use a fall protection system if you can fall 6 feet or more from a surface.
- Note location of skylights and roof vents to avoid fall or trip hazards.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) publishes safety requirements and best practices for solar installations at www.osha.gov/dep/greenjobs/solar.html. Most states have their own specific OSHA requirements, as well.
